Thermostat

How it Works

Your home thermostat is
simply a temperature sensitive switch. It displays the current temperature and
your target temperature. The thermostat is connected to your heating and
cooling systems, automatically turning those systems on and off to reach a
target temperature. Thermostats controlling gas
and oil heating systems run on low voltage and are generally located in a
central area on the same floor where the temperature is being controlled.
Thermostats controlling electric heat - commonly known as line voltage thermostats - are often located in each room, on the
opposite wall from where the electric heating element is located.

What Can Go Wrong?

Thermostats are simple
devices that rarely fail. When there appears to be a problem with the thermostat, it usually turns out to be a problem with
the heating or cooling system. However, a faulty thermostat
installation can leave your home heating
and cooling systems unable to start. Dirt can also affect a thermostat’s
calibration and interfere with operation, resulting in excessive heating or
cooling, along with wasted energy and money.

Environmental Impact

A home thermostat doesn’t
consume much energy on its own, but it does control the most significant
energy-consuming equipment in your home. Energy
efficient thermostat settings can save huge amounts of energy on your
heating and cooling. Electronic programmable
thermostats enable varying temperatures to be set for different times of
day and for specific days of the week. For every degree reduced in heating (or
increased in cooling) over an eight-hour duration, energy consumption and cost
is reduced by about one percent.

Tips & Tricks

Maintenance Tips

Dust your thermostat’s interior every couple of years
to eliminate any erratic operation and maintain a comfortable
room temperature. Use a small, soft paintbrush and don’t forget to clean
the thermostat contacts, which are small metal plates within the unit. Do not
touch any of the interior parts with your fingers, as some parts may be
energized.

For a wireless thermostat,
make sure to use the right size and type of batteries.

Loss Prevention Tips

Programmable thermostats
typically have two types of hold features to lock in the temperature setting:
“temporary” and “hold/permanent/vacation”. Avoid using
“hold/permanent/vacation” setting to manage day-to-day settings. “Hold” and
“vacation” features are designed to be used when away for an extended period of
time.

There may be switches on your home
thermostat’s base and near its temperature sensor, and those switches
may loosen and corrode over time. Tighten loose connections with a screwdriver
and use a cotton swab to clean away any corrosion.

Smart thermostats are available and can help you remotely monitor and control the temperature when you're home or away.